Automobile door lock protector



Nov. 10, 1953 R. M. SHANK AUTOMOBILE DOOR LOCK PROTECTOR Filed Oct. 9, 1950 INVENTOR RRY M. SHFINK BY K5 ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 10, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a new and improved covering for devices such as door handles and key operated locks and is particularly adapted for structures of the character embodied in modern automobile.

An object of the present invention is to provide a' covering of the general character indicated, which will protect the lock structure against infiltration of moisture from snow, rain, water from the roadway or when washing the car, which is apt to cause rusting and more particuiarly the freezing of such moisture within the lock during cold weather which of course would render the lock inoperable.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cover as described, composed of material such as rubber or other suitable material which covering will be adapted to conform to the contours of the lock portion of the handle and having a passage through which a key may be inserted into the key hole of the lock controlling the handle for use in opening and closin the door.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a covering of the character indicated having a tapered body which will permit water to drain out of the interior should water accidently be forced therein.

Another object of this present invention is to provide a covering of the character described adapted to be used on either right or left hand handles or handles oppositely directed, without the necessity of being turned inside out.

still another object of the present invention is to provide a flexible covering for car door handles, having spaced passages in the body portion thereof to permit water to drain out of the interior of said cover should the cover be accidently damaged or stretched beyond its elastic limit during installation or use.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a cover of the character described which may have means to permit monograming each set.

For a better understanding of the invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view showing a conventional door handle and, in horizontal section, a flexible cover incorporating the principles of the present invention, operably mounted upon the look portion of the handle, and a key inserted through the end wall of the cover into the lock.

Fig. 2 is a slightly enlarged side elevation of the cover partly broken away and shown in section.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the cover the direction of the view being indicated by the arrow 3 of Fig.2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but illustrating and showing the wall adjacent the handle opening bifurcated to permit installation of the cover without removing the handle.

Fig. 5 is another view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating a further modification of the cover showing longitudinal passages to facilitate draining moisture from the interior of the cover, and showing means whereby the covers may be monogramed.

Fig. 6 is a section view of the cover taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5, with the direction of the View as indicated.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, the invention illustrated therein includes a portion of an automobile door It], the door being provided with a forwardly extended handle generally indicated as H. The handle I I which is secured to the door in a suitable and conventional manner, includes an enlarged body portion [2 and a hand grip portion I3. The body portion [2 is provided with a flange or base I i- Which cooperates to align the handle with the door. The conventional handle illustrated is of the structure wherein the handle is fixed and the latch is operable by means of cylindrical member It which may be pushed inwardly with relation to the body portion I2 of the handle. In this type of structure the lock is enclosed in body portion [2 of the handle, and the lock is operable by means of a key I! which is inserted in a key slot provided in the outer end of the cylindrical member 16. Since this structure is of standard construction, the lock and bolt operating mechanism is neither illustrated in detail nor is any further specific reference made to such structure hereinafter.

The preferred form of the cover shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is generally indicated as 20 is made of relatively thin flexible material such as rubber or other suitable material, and includes a body portion 2| having tapered side walls 22. The body 2| terminates in a cylindrical extension 23 of reduced diameter. The outer end wall 24 of the extension 23 is thinner than the side walls 22 so as to yield to movement of the key without fracturing, and is provided with a key slot 25. As shown in Fig. 2 an aperture 26 is provided in the side wall 22, leaving a narrow wall portion 28. The opening or mouth 26 is shaped to conform with the contour of the hand grip portion l3 adjacent the body portion l2 of the handle. The peripheral diameter of the body 20 and the opening 26 is normally smaller than the peripheral diameter of the handle when the cover isnt mounted. Therefore, when the cover is mounted the wall around the opening 26 is stretched to form a snug fit around the handle portion 13, and the body portion 2| forms a snug fit around the lock portion l2 of the handle as shown in Fig. 1.

It will be apparent that since the cover 20 has tapered side walls, should the cover become stretched beyond its elastic limit through use, and water is forced inside the cover, this water can easily drain out of the interior of the cover away from the latch actuating and key member I6.

When it is desirable to lock or unlock the door in the form of the invention illustrated, the key I! is inserted through the slot 25 provided in the end wall of the cover 20 into the look after which the lock may be actuated. Since the cover is flexible, the plunger or member l6 may be pushed inwardly to actuate the latch as hereintofore described.

It is to bepointed out that this improved cover is symmetrical about the horizontal medial plane thereof and therefore is adapted to be mounted optionally on either right or left hand handles or on oppositely directed handles without the necessity of being turned inside out.

To mount the cover shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the handle H is removed in the conventional manner thus permitting the hand grip portion I3 to be inserted through the opening 26 from the inside of the body portion 2|. Then the cover is slid along the hand grip portion 13 until the body portion [2 of the door handle enters and seats within the body portion 2| of the cover, with the hand grip portion l3 protruding through the opening 26, after which the handle H is replaced upon the door with thecover 20 mounted on the body portion I2 of the handle as illustrated in Fig. 1.

To eliminate the necessity of removing the handle II from the door In to install the cover 20, the narrow wall portion 28 maybe cut as at 30 Fig. 4, to provide ears or flaps 31 which may be spread as indicated in dotted .lines, thereby permitting the cover to be installed on the door lock after which, it may he held .in place by wrapping the bifurcated end of the cover .20 with rubber tape.

The alternative structure shown .in Figs. and 6 comprises modifications of the preferred form of the cover. In the embodiment there disclosed, the cover 20 is provided with longitudinal spaced '4 inner grooves or passages 33 which extend from the reduced portion 23 to the large open end of the cover. These passages 33 insure drainage for moisture which may be forced inside of the cover should the cover be accidently stretched beyond its elastic limit during installation or use.

The modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 5 and 6 also shows means for monogramming each cover. This means comprises a flattened portion indicated in dotted lines, which may be provided on the side wall" opposite the opening 26.

While there has been described what is at presant cons'uiered a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may bemade therein without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore, aimed in the appondod elaim to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Ielaim:

A cover for a door handle having a body portion and a latch actuating member projecting therefrom, said member embodying a key-operable lock having a keyhole in its outer end, said cover comprising .a flexible body symmetrical about the horizontal medial plane thereof whereby it is adapted for installation optionally upon either right or left hand handles without requiring being turned inside out. an elongated end onsaid body adapted to receive said latch actuating member and having an apertur in the end wall of said elongated end in alignment with said keyhole whereby a key may be inserted into said keyhole without distorting said cover, said body having an aperture in the side wall of said body which permits said body portion of said handle to extend therethrough. and said cover having a groove in its interior surface and extending substantially throughout the length thereof for draining moisture out of the interior of said cover.

RAY M. SHANK.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,662,612 Junkunc Mar, 13, 1928 2,049,144 Wahlberg July 28, 1936 2,070,955 Parisoe Feb. 16, 1937 2,132,287 Curtis et a1. Oct. 4, 1938 2,217,730 Cooley Oct. 15, 1940 2,247,592 Swift July 1, 1941 2,564,012 Jordan Aug. 14, 1951 2,585,331 King Feb. 12, 1952 OTHER REFERENCES Popular Mechanics, January 1941, page 159. 

